CHAPTER FOUR

Emily visiting the coffee house was well discussed over the next few days, but it was a mark of the seriousness of the situation that the only person to crack jokes about it was Chandler.

'Do you really think she'll come back?' a worried Phoebe asked Monica the next day.

'I hope not,' said Monica. 'How dare she come back to mess things up?'

'We can always order the kids to feel sick whenever she's around,' suggested Chandler.

Rachel continued making wedding plans as usual, but every so often she would look around at the door as if expecting Emily to burst in again. Gunther was doing a similar thing, but they got the idea that he was hoping Emily would come back.

Ross came home after work the following day, saying, 'Well, all's good. No sign of Emily anywhere.'

Rachel muttered something none of them could hear, but Ross caught the words "could have died" and "shouldn't get hopes up".

'Shall we go and register? Find a venue for the wedding?' asked Ross.

'Yeah, maybe at the weekend?' said Rachel.

The next Saturday dawned beautiful and sunny – just like the morning after they'd got engaged. Rachel and Ross grabbed a quick coffee and went straight to register with the weddings office.

'Ross Geller and Rachel Greene,' said Rachel to the woman at the desk.

'Oh yeah, Ross Geller's a familiar ... what did you say your name was?' asked the woman, as Ross scowled.

By 4pm, Ross and Rachel were booked in for the St Margaret's Hall to get married on July 18th. It was an elaborately designed room with marble floors and a beautiful platform where the minister would marry them. Rachel felt a funny tingling as she looked around it.

They kissed and got in the next cab to the coffee house. When they arrived, Monica, Phoebe and Joey were sat there.

'Where's Chandler?' asked Ross.

'Monica thought he should try some childminding,' said Pheobe, as Monica smirked.

'Might make him less flippant about them throwing up. I'm fine with them being sick on Emily, but the floor ... they can't mess up the floor,' said Monica, as though this idea disturbed her.

'So, where have you been?' asked Phoebe.

'Well, we're now getting married on July 18th in St Margaret's Hall!' Ross told them excitedly.

'Yay! Wow!' said Joey and Phoebe.

'Plans! We have to start making plans!' said Monica, beginning to fish around in her bag.

'No – Mon – no, calm down, we'll start tomorrow –' Rachel pleaded.

'We need to make plans! We must be ready!' Monica squealed, finally finding a piece of lined paper and a pen.

'No – Mon, chill –'

'Plans! We can't be lazy!' Monica practically screamed. 'PLANS!'

Phoebe accidentally dropped some coffee on the table from shock. Monica stared at the coffee.

'THAT IS MAHOGONY!'

Gunther looked slightly alarmed.

'Ok, we'll start planning when we get back. Calm down, Mon – there's plenty of time. The two of you could be my maids of honour?' said Rachel, gesturing at Monica and Phoebe.

'Thank you, Rach,' said Phoebe. 'When are we going dress shopping?'

'As soon as possible. Believe me,' she said, dropping her voice so Ross wouldn't hear, 'that's the most exciting part for me, too.'

For the rest of the week, Monica had them working tirelessly over wedding plans. If you looked past Rachel's deep desire to sleep, she was very grateful for all her friend's help. They had the theme prepared – light blue and purple roses – the invitations drafted, the guest list finalised, and Monica would be catering for everyone.

'Thanks, Mon,' yawned Rachel the following Friday night. 'And thanks, Phoebe.'

'That's what friends are for,' shrugged Monica, pulling her cardigan around her.